Surgical disc removal tool

ABSTRACT

The disclosure provides a tissue removal device including customizable tips. The tissue removal device may include an outer shaft and a threaded shaft. One aspect of disclosure may include a shaft cutting tool that emerges from the end of the outer shaft. Another aspect of the disclosure may include a flexible cutting blade extending from the threaded shaft. Threaded shaft may be driven by a driving mechanism in order to provide an auger-like suction mechanism to facilitate the transfer of removed tissue to a collection chamber that is coupled to the outer shaft and the threaded shaft.

BACKGROUND OF THE PRESENT DISCLOSURE

1. Field of the Present Disclosure

The present disclosure is generally directed to a surgical device. Morespecifically, the disclosure may be directed to a surgical device thatfacilitates the removal of tissue.

2. Related Art

A spine comprises a series of small bones referred to as vertebrae.Spinal discs are fixed in place between each pair of vertebrae andfunction like a pad or cushion to prevent the vertebrae from grindingagainst each other and permit the spine to be flexible. A variety ofscenarios may exist where damage to one or more of these spinal discsmay occur including, but not limited to, injury and illness. Severe,even debilitating, pain can result from such damage.

Surgical procedures exist that attempt to alleviate the pain thataccompanies such damage. At least one of these procedures may involvethe removal of at least a portion of tissue associated with a spinaldisc. Many conventional devices currently exist on the market forfacilitating the removal of tissue associated with a spinal disc.However, each conventional device suffers from one or more drawbacks.

Conventional devices exist which suffer from the problem of being purelymanual. Such manual devices require the use of human muscle, whichfatigues, to perform the procedure. Additionally, such manual devicesrequire significantly more time to complete the procedure as opposed todevices which have one or more powered, or otherwise mechanical,components.

However, merely providing for a powered device that facilitates removalof tissue associated with a spinal disc does not completely remedy thedrawbacks of conventional devices. Many existing powered disc removaldevices require expensive capital equipment to power the device.Additionally, surgeons are reluctant to use powered devices designed forremoval of at least a portion of tissue associated with a spinal discbecause the devices are overpowered or lack proper safety measures.

Furthermore, conventional devices have drawbacks in their ability toremove tissue associated with the spinal disc that has been severed.Typically, existing devices, whether manual or powered, rely solely onsuction manufactured by generated airflow in order to remove tissueassociated with a spinal disc that has been cut. Such an approachincludes various drawbacks, including requiring a device capable ofgenerating the suction. This requires at least the extra capital expenseof purchasing a device capable of generating the requisite suction.

Accordingly, there is a need for device that improves a surgeon'sability to remove at least a portion of tissue associated with a spinaldisc without relying solely on suction generated by airflow.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure meets the foregoing need of improving a surgeon'sability to remove at least a portion of tissue associated with a spinaldisc without relying solely on suction generated by airflow.

Accordingly, one aspect of the present disclosure describes a tissueremoval device. The tissue removal device may include an outer shaft anda threaded shaft. The tissue removal device may include a customizabletip. The customizable tip serves to increase the versatility of thetissue removal device by providing a choice of a specific shaft, cuttinginstrument, or both in order to customize the tissue removal device.

At least one aspect of the disclosure may include a shaft cutting toolthat emerges from an end of an outer shaft. Another aspect of thedisclosure may include a flexible cutting blade extending from athreaded shaft. Threaded shaft may be driven by a driving mechanism inorder to provide an auger-like suction mechanism to facilitate thetransfer of removed tissue to a collection chamber that is coupled tothe outer shaft and threaded shaft.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure the collectionchamber includes at least a partial enclosure. At least a portion ofthis enclosure includes transparent material that allows for theinspection of the inside of the collection chamber. Additionally, thecollection chamber may comprise a pluggable hole and/or a pluggable portthat may aid in providing versatility to a surgeon utilizing the tissueremoval device.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the flexiblecutting blade may be expanded or contracted. Expanding or contractingthe flexible cutting blade may increase or decrease the cutting diameterof the flexible cutting blade. In accordance with this feature, oneaspect of the disclosure may include a window on the handle of thetissue removal device. The window may provide a visual indicator as tothe height of the flexible cutting blade.

Additional features, advantages, and aspects of the present disclosuremay be set forth or apparent from consideration of the followingdetailed description, drawings, and claims. Moreover, it is to beunderstood that both the foregoing summary of the present disclosure andthe following detailed description are exemplary and intended to providefurther explanation without limiting the scope of the present disclosureas claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a furtherunderstanding of the present disclosure, are incorporated in andconstitute a part of this specification, illustrate aspects of thepresent disclosure and together with the detailed description serve toexplain the principles of the present disclosure. No attempt is made toshow structural details of the present disclosure in more detail thanmay be necessary for a fundamental understanding of the presentdisclosure and the various ways in which it may be practiced. In thedrawings:

FIG. 1 shows a tissue removal device, according to an aspect of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 2A shows an example of a customizable tip.

FIG. 2B shows another example of a customizable tip, which includes anangled portion.

FIG. 2C shows yet another example of a customizable tip, which includesan angled portion.

FIG. 3 shows an example of a cutting portion of a tissue removal device,according to an aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 shows an enlarged, perspective view of the cutting portion shownin FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 shows another example of a cutting portion of a tissue removaldevice, according to an aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6A shows a perspective view of a cutter shaft that may be used inanother example of a cutting portion of a tissue removal device,according to an aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6B shows a cross-section or cut-away view of another example of acutting portion of a tissue removal device, including the cutter shaftof FIG. 6A.

FIG. 6C shows a perspective view of the cutting portion of FIG. 6B.

FIG. 7A shows a perspective view and a side view of a customized tipcomprising a serrated curette tip shaft.

FIG. 7B shows a perspective view and a side view of a customized tipcomprising a cup curette tip shaft.

FIG. 7C shows a perspective view and a side view of a customized tipcomprising a modified cup curette tip shaft.

FIG. 8A shows a front view, a top view, and a perspective view of acustomized cutter comprising a craw cutter.

FIG. 8B shows perspective and side views of a customized cuttercomprising a bullet tip serrated cutter.

FIG. 8C shows a front view, a top view, and a perspective view of acustomized tip comprising a tornado cutter.

FIG. 8D shows a front view, a top view, and a perspective view of acustomized cutter comprising a cyclone cutter.

FIG. 9 shows a collection chamber that may be coupled to a tissueremoval device, according to a further aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 10 shows a tissue removal system, including power connections and atissue removal device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT DISCLOSURE

The aspects of the present disclosure and the various features andadvantageous details thereof are explained more fully with reference tothe non-limiting aspects and examples that are described and/orillustrated in the accompanying drawings and detailed in the followingdescription. It should be noted that the features illustrated in thedrawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, and features of one aspectmay be employed with other aspects as the skilled artisan wouldrecognize, even if not explicitly stated herein. Descriptions ofwell-known components and processing techniques may be omitted so as tonot unnecessarily obscure the aspects of the present disclosure. Theexamples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understandingof ways in which the present disclosure may be practiced and to furtherenable those of skill in the art to practice the aspects of the presentdisclosure. Accordingly, the examples and aspects herein should not beconstrued as limiting the scope of the present disclosure, which isdefined solely by the appended claims and applicable law. Moreover, itis noted that like reference numerals represent similar parts throughoutthe several views of the drawings.

The present disclosure is generally directed to a surgical device. Morespecifically, the disclosure may be directed to a device, used by asurgeon, to facilitate the removal of tissue.

The word “surgeon”, as used in this disclosure, means any person thatuses the disclosure to either sever tissue or attempt to sever tissue.Such a person may be educated, certified, and trained to performsurgical procedures involving the removal of tissue. Such a person mayalso be a lay person with no experience in the surgical field. Inaddition, such a person may have a skill-set, education, and/orknowledge base which falls somewhere between a person who is educated,certified, and trained to perform surgical procedures and a lay person.

The word “tissue”, as used in this disclosure, means any tissueassociated with a spinal disc. Such tissue can comprise many forms,including tissue from the inside of the disc referred to as the nucleus,tissue from the outside of the disc referred to as the annulus, ortissue associated with any other portion of a spinal disc. Such tissuemay also comprise any tissue that resides in the surrounding area of thespine which is, or may reasonably cause, discomfort that may beassociated with a spinal disc. Such tissue may also comprise any tissuethat may be found in a carbon based life form.

FIG. 1 shows a tissue removal device according to an aspect of thepresent disclosure. The tissue removal device 100 may include an outershaft 110, a customizable tip 120, collection chamber 130, and handle140. The outer shaft 110 extends from the customizable tip 120 to thecollection chamber 130. In at least one aspect of the presentdisclosure, outer shaft 110 may enclose a threaded shaft (not shown).Handle 140 provides a member that a surgeon may use for holding,controlling, and/or directing the tissue removal device. The handle 140may include a variety of grips that may facilitate use and control ofthe tissue removal device 100, including, e.g., rubber, plastic, wood,metal, etc.

Customizable tip 120 provides tissue removal device 100 with increasedversatility. Customizable tip 120 facilitates the altering of the tip oftissue removal device 100, as well as, the accompanying cuttinginstrument (discussed herein below). The customizable tip 120 maycomprise either a tip, a cutting instrument, or both. When thecustomizable tip 120 does not include a cutting instrument, it is anaspect of the present disclosure that the corresponding outer shaft 110or threaded shaft may be fitted with a cutting instrument as needed. Thecustomizable tip 120 may be provided in, e.g., a sealed and sterilizedpackaging. The customizable tip 120 may be disposable.

Customizable tip 120 may be coupled to tissue removal device 100 in aplurality of different ways. For example, the customizable tip 120 andthe outer shaft 110 may be constructed as a single, unibody structurethat connects to the collection chamber 130 through a connector(discussed herein below).

The customizable tip 120 may be a detachable component that is designedto be coupled to the outer shaft 110, which extends to the collectionchamber through a connector.

The customizable tip 120 may be designed to extend from the threadedshaft as either a unibody structure or as a detachable component. It isreadily understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the presentdisclosure need not be so limited. The customizable tip 120 may becoupled to the tissue removal device 100 in any manner which providesfor the tip and/or cutting instrument of the tissue removal device 100to be customized.

FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 2C provide non-limiting examples of a variety ofcustomizable tips 120 (120A, 120B, 120C, respectively).

FIG. 2A shows a customizable tip 120A that is similar to thecustomizable tip disclosed in FIG. 1, 120. As seen, the customizable tip120A may include a substantially straight customizable tip. Thecustomizable tip 120A is accompanied by the straight outer shaft 110.The outer shaft 110 may be mounted to (or through) the collectionchamber. As seen in FIG. 2A, the collection chamber may have a housingthat is substantially cylindrical in shape and the outer shaft 110 maybe affixed to (or through) an end of the collection chamber.

FIG. 2B shows a customizable tip 120B that may be curved, angled, orotherwise formed, shaped or molded. The customizable tip 120B may beaccompanied by the straight outer shaft 110 and the collection chamber.

FIG. 2C shows a customizable tip 120C that may be fitted to the tissueremoval device 100, where the customizable tip 120C is accompanied by acurved outer shaft 110. The curved outer shaft 110 may be mounted to (orthrough) a curved collection chamber. As seen in FIG. 2C, an aspect ofthe disclosure contemplates that instead of the outer tip of outer shaft110 being angled, the portion of outer shaft 110 which extends from thecollection chamber 130, or other portion of tissue removal device 100may be curved, angled, or otherwise shaped, formed, or molded in amanner which facilitates a more versatile tissue removal device 100.

FIG. 3 shows a cutting portion 300 of a tissue removal device (e.g., thetissue removal device 100, shown in FIG. 1, or the tissue removal devicein the tissue removal system 1000, shown in FIG. 10). According to anaspect of the present disclosure, the tissue removal device (e.g., thetissue removal device 100, shown in FIG. 1) may include the cuttingportion 300 in lieu of, or in addition to the customizable tip 120 andouter shaft 110. In the former case, the cutting portion 300 may beprovided in the outer shaft 110 and configured to adjustably extend intoan open section in the customizable tip 120, so as to contact and severa tissue material. In the latter case, the cutting portion 300 mayreplace the customizable tip 120.

The cutting portion 300 includes a customizable tip 320 and an outershaft 310. The cutting portion 300 may further include a shaft cuttingtool 340. The customizable tip 320 may include a flexible cutting blade330, a sample retriever 350, and a threaded shaft 360. The outer shaft310 may encapsulate and guide the threaded shaft 360, as well as thecustomizable tip 320. The shaft cutting tool 340 may be integrallyformed with the outer shaft 310, or it may be provided as a separateelement that is connected to the outer shaft 310. The shaft cutting tool340 and flexible cutting blade 330 provide two cutting mechanisms thatare capable of severing material, including, e.g., tissue connected to acarbon based life form, thereby making tissue available for removal. Thecutting blade 330 may be expanded or contracted to increase or decreasea cutting diameter. The adjustable cutting blade 330 allows a surgeon toaccommodate varying patient anatomy and pathology. The severed tissuemay be retrieved by the sample retriever 350. The threaded shaft 360,enclosed within the outer shaft 310, mechanically operates as a conveyorto move, convey, or transfer the severed tissue from the surgical sitethrough the outer shaft 310 and into the collection chamber 130. Theouter shaft 310 may be sized such that the tissue remains in contactwith the threaded shaft 360 to prevent cutter portion 300 from jamming.

FIG. 4 shows a perspective, enlarged view of the cutting portion 300.This enlarged view of the cutting portion 300 more clearly accents thefeatures of the cutting portion 300 at the tip end of the device. Asseen in FIG. 4, the shaft cutting tool 340 is configured to emerge fromthe end of the outer shaft 310, so that it may facilitate tissuesevering. Shaft cutting tool 340 may function independently, or inconjunction with the flexible cutting blade 330, to provide a surgeonwith improved control and precision in removing a desired portion oftissue.

In the cutting portion 300, the flexible cutting blade 330 may extendfrom an end of the threaded shaft 360, or another member (not shown)extending from the collection chamber 130. When extending from the endof the threaded shaft 360, flexible cutting blade 330 may revolve at thesame rotational velocity as the threaded shaft 360 when driven by, e.g.,a motor (not shown).

Flexible cutting blade 330 provides a surgeon with the advantage ofaccommodating carbon based life forms of varying anatomies andpathologies. This advantage is achievable by the configuration of theflexible cutting blade 330, which may be expandable and/or contractiblefor optimal positioning and severing of tissue. In this regard thecutting blade 330 may be extracted from the threaded shaft 360 toincrease the cutting diameter or may be retracted into the threadedshaft 360 to reduce the cutting diameter. In other words, the cuttingportion 300 may provide a surgeon with the ability to contract flexiblecutting blade 330 in order to decrease its cutting diameter.Alternatively, or in combination, the cutting portion 300 may provide asurgeon with the ability to expand the length of flexible cutting blade330 in order to increase its cutting diameter. Flexible cutting blade330 may be made from, e.g., nitinol. However, it will be readilyunderstood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the flexible cuttingblade 330 of the present disclosure need not be so limited. The flexiblecutting blade 330 of the present disclosure may be made of any materialcapable of severing tissue and providing the flexibility describedherein, including, but not limited to, any metal, alloy, plastic, etc.

An aspect of the present disclosure provides a feature to accommodateprecise use of flexible cutting blade 330. It will be readily understoodby one of ordinary skill in the art that cutting portion 300 may beconnected (directly or indirectly) to a handle similar to handle 140 ofthe tissue removal device 100. Accordingly, an aspect of the presentdisclosure provides that a window (not shown) may be cut into or formedin the handle 140. The window may provide a surgeon with a visualindicator as to the height of flexible cutting blade 330, therebyensuring that the surgeon may more precisely use tissue removal device100.

Additionally, the sample retriever 350 may function to retrieve thetissue that is removed by shaft cutting tool 340 and/or flexible cuttingblade 330. This could happen in a plurality of ways. For example, eitherthe shaft cutting tool 340 or the flexible cutting blade 330 mayindependently sever the tissue. This approach results in the tissuedetaching from the carbon based life form and being collected in thesample retriever 350. Alternatively, or in combination, for example, thethreaded shaft 360 may be mechanically retracted, thereby pulling thesample retriever 350 towards the collection chamber 130 through theouter shaft 310 which pushes flexible cutting blade 330 toward thesample retriever 350, thereby severing the tissue, and effectivelytrapping the tissue in the sample retriever 350. However, it will bereadily understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the presentdisclosure need not be so limited. As a result, other ways to sever andcollect tissue for depositing in the collection chamber which fallwithin the spirit and scope of the invention may be realized inaccordance with the present disclosure.

After tissue is severed and retrieved by sample retriever 350, threadedshaft 360 works as a conveyor to convey, move, or transfer the tissueaway from the surgical site, through outer shaft 310, and into thecollection chamber 130. Threaded shaft 360, enclosed by outer shaft 310,may be driven by a driving mechanism including, e.g., a motor (notshown). When driven by a driving mechanism, the threaded shaft 360provides an alternative to conventional suction mechanisms that aregenerated purely based upon airflow. This alternative sample collectionmechanism includes, e.g., the motor to revolve or rotate the threadedshaft 360 in order to provide an auger-like suction capability. Themotor may be powered by a battery (see FIG. 10). Utilizing a motor toimplement an auger-like suction mechanism provides the advantage ofbeing able to power the tissue removal device 100 with batteries, whileavoiding high cost capital equipment to drive a device that generatessuction based on airflow. When flexible cutting blade 330 extends fromthe end of the threaded shaft 360, flexible cutting blade 330 mayrevolve at the same rotational velocity as threaded shaft 360 whendriven by a motor (not shown). It is noted that the auger-like suctioncapability described herein above is driven by a motor. However, itwould be readily understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that theauger-like suction capability of the present disclosure need not be solimited. As such, the auger-like suction capability of the presentdisclosure may be driven by other means, e.g., manually.

FIG. 5 shows another example of a cutting portion 500 of a tissueremoval device (e.g., the tissue removal device 100, shown in FIG. 1, orthe tissue removal device in the tissue removal system 1000, shown inFIG. 10). According to an aspect of the present disclosure, the tissueremoval device (e.g., the tissue removal device 100, shown in FIG. 1)may include the cutting portion 500 in lieu of, or in addition to thecustomizable tip 120 and outer shaft 100. In the former case, thecutting portion 500 may be provided in the outer shaft 110 andconfigured to adjustably extend into an open section in the customizabletip 120, so as to contact and sever a tissue material. In the lattercase, the cutting portion 500 may replace the customizable tip 120.

The cutting portion 500 may include a customizable tip 520, an angledshaft 570, and an outer shaft 510. The customizable tip 520 may includea flexible cutting blade 530, a shaft cutting tool 540, a sampleretriever 550, and a threaded shaft 360. Angled shaft 570 may providethe cutting portion 500 with the capability of reaching a surgical sitethat is unreachable by, for example, the straight outer shaft 110structure seen in FIG. 1.

The angled shaft 570 and the outer shaft 510 may be formed as a singleunibody structure. Alternatively, the angled shaft 570 and outer shaft510 may be formed from two or more parts, including, e.g., detachablecomponents that may be coupled to each other.

FIG. 6A shows an example of a cutter shaft that may be included withinan outer shaft of a tissue removal device, such as, e.g., tissue removaldevice 100. A motor (not shown) may be provided to turn or revolve thethreaded shaft 360, thereby providing an auger-like suction capability.Since cutter 610 extends from the end of threaded shaft 360, cutter 610will rotate at the same rotational velocity as threaded shaft 360. Thecutter may include one or more helical portions to move tissue to thenext part of the threaded shaft 360, a sharp threaded section 620A.Threaded shaft 360 may comprise a plurality of sections, wherein eachsection provides a different threading. The threaded shaft 360 may beformed from a single piece of material, or from multiple pieces ofmaterials.

As seen, the threaded shaft 360 may comprise the sharp threaded section620A followed by a flatter threaded section 630A. The sharp threadedsection 620A may provide better gripping and quicker transportation ofparticles. Once the tissue samples pass the threaded section 620A, theflatter threaded section 630A may be configured to receive the tissuesamples and convey, move, or transfer the tissue samples to thecollection chamber 130. The threaded section 620A may include, e.g.,helical fins, to provide better gripping and quicker transportation oftissue samples from the cutter 610. The flatter threaded section 630Amay include, e.g., helical patterns, to convey tissue from the threadedsection 620A to, e.g., the collection chamber 130. It is noted that thethreaded shaft 360 may include, for example, a single lead thread auger,a double lead thread auger (as shown in FIG. 6A), a triple lead threadauger, or a greater number of lead thread augers.

FIG. 6B shows a cut-away view that illustrates a threaded shaft 360(shown in FIG. 6A) being retracted in the outer shaft 110 towards thecollection chamber 130. The threaded shaft 360 may engage the outershaft 110 via an engagement mechanism 640, which may include, e.g.,threading, grooves, channels, or the like. The motor drives the threadedshaft 360, forcing the threaded shaft 360 to revolve (or rotate) andinteract with the engagement mechanism 640 to transport tissue from thecutter 610 to the collection chamber 130. In this manner, threaded shaft360 functions to convey, move, or transfer tissue samples from thesurgical site to the collection chamber 130. The outer shaft 110 may besized so that a tissue sample will remain in contact with the threadedshaft 360 to prevent the auger-like suction mechanism from jamming.

FIG. 6C shows a perspective view of the cutter 610 residing within theouter shaft 110. Cutter 610 revolves at the same rotational velocity asits accompanying threaded shaft. When cutter 610 is revolving, and comesinto contact with tissue, it severs one or more portions of tissue—i.e.,one or more tissue samples—which are then conveyed, moved, ortransferred to collection chamber 130 via the auger-like suctioncapability of, e.g., helical fin structure of the cutter 610, the sharpthreaded section 620A, and the flatter threaded section 630A.

FIGS. 7A-7C show a variety of different designs for customizable tips,according to another aspect of the present disclosure. Each of thesecustomizable tips may function in the manner set forth above, or inother ways that will be readily understood by one of ordinary skill inthe art. For example, FIG. 7A shows a serrated curette tip 710A whichmay be useful for gentle endplate scraping. FIG. 7B shows a cup curettetip 710B which may be useful for performing scraping via a pullingmotion. FIG. 7C shows a modified cup curette tip 710C which may beuseful for scraping via a pushing or pulling motion. It should be notedthat it will be readily understood by one of ordinary skill in the artthat the disclosure need not be so limited. The customizable tips setforth in the present disclosure may include any scraping instrumentwhich may facilitate the severing of tissue by scraping.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, FIGS. 8A-8D showa variety of different designs for cutting instruments which may be partof, or coupled to, for example, the threaded shaft 360 (shown in FIGS.6A-6C). FIG. 8A shows various views of an example of a craw cutter; FIG.8B shows various views of an example of a bullet tipped serrated cutter;FIG. 8C shows various views of an example of a tornado cutter; and FIG.8D shows various views of an example of a cyclone cutter. It is notedthat it will be readily understood by one of ordinary skill in the artthat the disclosure need not be so limited. The customizable tips setforth in the present disclosure may include any cutting instrument whichmay facilitate the severing of tissue.

FIG. 9 shows an example of a collection chamber 130 according to anaspect of the present disclosure. The collection chamber 130 may includea connector 910, pluggable hole 920 and a pluggable port 930. Thecollection chamber 130 may include at least a partial enclosure that maybe made of a transparent material in order to provide a surgeon with theability to see through collection chamber 130. The material may include,but it is not limited to, e.g., plastic, glass, plexiglass, acrylicglass, etc. This provides a surgeon with the ability to inspect thecontents of collection chamber 130 in order to verify the effectivenessof a procedure. It will be readily understood by one of ordinary skillin the art that collection chamber 130 of the present disclosure neednot be so limited. The collection chamber 130 may be made of anymaterial, e.g., transparent or non-transparent, that is capable ofserving as at least a partial enclosure where tissue, severed by atissue removal device 100, may be deposited with the aid of anauger-like suction mechanism.

Collection chamber 130 may include a connector 910. The connector 910may be, for example, integrally formed as a single piece with thecollection chamber 130, integrally formed as a single piece with theouter shaft 110, integrally formed as a single piece with the collectionchamber 130 and the outer shaft 110, or provided as a separate componentthat may be attached to the collection chamber 130 and outer shaft 110.Connector 910 may include a pass-through opening to allow the threadedshaft 360 to extend through the connector 910 and into the outer shaft110, with access to the collection chamber 130 in order to deposittissue severed and removed by tissue removal device 100. As suchconnector may serve as a tunnel allowing threaded shaft 360 to extendfrom the surgical site, through outer shaft 110, and into the collectionchamber 130.

Collection chamber 130 may include a pluggable hole 920. Duringoperation of the tissue removal device 100, a plug (not shown) may beinserted into pluggable hole 920 in an attempt to create an enclosurewhich collects tissue that is severed and removed by the tissue removaldevice 100. However, after (or while) the procedure is performed, theplug may be removed from pluggable hole 920, thereby providing a surgeonwith access to the sample residing in collection chamber 130. With theplug removed, a surgeon may then perform a biopsy of the collectedtissue through pluggable hole 920.

Collection chamber 130 may include a pluggable port 930. When tissueremoval using the disclosure's auger-like suction is being performed,pluggable port 930 may be sealed with a plug (not shown), where theauger-like suction is implemented without suction based on generatedairflow. However, alternatively, or in combination, pluggable port 930may be unsealed (i.e., unplugged) and coupled to a machine (such as,e.g., a vacuum, a pump, or the like) which generates airflow basedsuction. The collection chamber 130 provides the versatility for asurgeon to be able to supplement the auger-like suction used to removesevered tissue with a conventional surgical suction unit based ongenerated airflow. Coupling a conventional, surgical suction unit viapluggable port 930 may be particularly advantageous for surgeons whoutilize, e.g., saline solution in the tissue removal process, whereinthe conventional surgical suction unit may be used to remove, e.g., thesaline solution.

FIG. 10 shows an example of a tissue removal system 1000, which includespower connections and the tissue removal device. In the tissue removalsystem 1000, the tissue removal device may be powered by a battery pack1020 and include an on/off toggle switch 1010. The tissue removal systemmay include, e.g., a stepping motor, or any other driving mechanism thatis capable of precise and quick response and control to drive or revolvethe threaded shaft 360. Tissue removal system 1000 may also include apedal 1030 which may be used to vary the speed with which the threadedshaft revolves. While an aspect of the disclosure provides that tissueremoval device may be powered by a battery pack, it is noted that thetissue removal system 1000 may include other power supply means,including, e.g., electric power received from residential or commercialpower supplies via, e.g., a power cord and plug 1040.

The disclosure provides numerous advantages over conventional devices.In light of the disclosure, there is no longer a need for costly capitalequipment required to power a tissue removal device. Additionally, thedisclosure may be disposable and come in sterile packaging allowing thedisclosure to be used by surgeons who may not have access to all methodsrequired for continuously sterilizing equipment. Additionally, thewindow cut (or formed) into the handle, allows a surgeon to see theheight of a blade, thereby providing surgeons with confidence that theyhave expanded and/or contracted the blade to the correct height. And,the auger-like suction mechanism ensures that the suction mechanism willnot clog and bind up the cutting shaft.

While the present disclosure has been described in terms of exemplaryaspects, those skilled in the art will recognize that the presentdisclosure can be practiced with modifications in the spirit and scopeof the appended claims. These examples given above are merelyillustrative and are not meant to be an exhaustive list of all possibledesigns, aspects, applications or modifications of the presentdisclosure.

What is claimed is:
 1. A device for removing tissue, the devicecomprising: a collection chamber that includes a connector, a pluggablehole, and a partial enclosure; an outer shaft connected to thecollection chamber; a cutting portion that is configured to contact andcut a portion of the tissue; a threaded shaft that conveys the portionof the tissue through the outer shaft to the collection chamber; and aretriever attached to a distal end of the threaded shaft, wherein thecutting portion is capable of expansion and contraction and extendsbeyond the threaded shaft along at least a portion of the retriever. 2.The device of claim 1, further comprising: a handle.
 3. The device ofclaim 1, wherein the collection chamber includes a transparent material.4. The device of claim 1, wherein the cutting portion comprises: aflexible cutting blade; a customizable tip; or a cutter.
 5. A tissueremoval device, the device comprising: a cutting portion that isconfigured to remove a tissue sample from a surgical site; an outershaft that transports and guides the cutting portion; and, an innershaft that is configured to transport the tissue sample from thesurgical site via the outer shaft wherein the inner shaft comprises athreaded shaft having three distinct threaded sections including adistal section, an intermediate section and a proximal section, whereinthe distal section comprises a helical cutting section, the intermediatesection comprises a threaded section having sharper threads relative tothe distal and proximal section, and the proximal section comprises athreaded section having flatter threads relative to the distal andintermediate sections.
 6. The tissue removal device of claim 5, whereinthe inner shaft comprises a threaded shaft.
 7. The tissue removal deviceof claim 5, wherein the cutting portion comprises a customizable tip. 8.The tissue removal device of claim 7, wherein the customizable tipcomprises: a cutter; or a flexible cutting blade.
 9. The tissue removaldevice of claim 7, wherein the customizable tip comprises: a flexiblecutting blade; and a sample retriever.
 10. The tissue removal device ofclaim 7, wherein the customizable tip includes an open section that isconfigured to receive tissue sample that is retrieved at the surgicalsite.
 11. The tissue removal device of claim 5, further comprising: acollection chamber that is configured to receive and hold the tissuesample.
 12. The tissue removal device of claim 5, wherein the outershaft includes a shaft cutting tool.